Howard L. Terry

YHS Class of 1934

Growth is a powerful idea in the right hands. In Howard's hands growth over a lifetime ignited realization of personal, business, and philanthropic goals that put this native of Milam County in a class by himself. After serving as captain of the YHS football team in 1934, he distinguished himself in the sport at The University of Texas where he played on Varsity Longhorn team 1935-1938 serving as captain his senior year. He earned a B.B.A. degree. As a U.S. Navy captain, he commanded a PT Boat in World War II in the SW Pacific, participating in the U.S.-Japanese Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest navel battle in history. His post-war business career developed early in senior management, soon largely in firms he founded alone or with others. His mastery of financial and management skills took him to ownership in a breathtaking variety of industries in Texas and many other states: banking; oil and gas exploration and development; manufacturing including off-shore drilling equipment and construction materials; a national railroad; and shipping. The attainment he treasures most is the 1986 founding of The Terry Foundation, largest privately endowed college scholarship program in Texas. By 2001 he had helped nearly 1,000 young Texans graduate from UT-Austin or Texas A&M at College Station with no outside debt. Terry Foundation is perpetual.